After training under his cabinetmaker father and then further afield at Berlin’s Institute of Arts and Crafts Museum and in Paris, Danish furniture designer Jacob Kjær crafted classical English-inspired dining chairs, sofas and other pieces that, many decades later, are understated and elegant in any space.
Kjær returned to Copenhagen in 1926 and opened his own workshop after studying in Germany and working as a joiner in France. His collectible works have all the characteristics that are attributed to Scandinavian modernist furniture — his chairs boast gracefully sloping seat backs and arms that mirror works by designers such as Finn Juhl or Hans Wegner, while his tables and other pieces, typically crafted in teak, rosewood or mahogany, are demonstrative of the deep commitment to craftsmanship associated with likeminded artisans who hail from Nordic regions of the world.
A well-known armchair made by Kjær for use at the UN Building in New York City is the spare and sculptural FN chair. While this iconic seat was first constructed in wood and upholstered in durable leather at the designer’s studio, it was later manufactured by Christensen & Larsen and is now available from Kitani, a Japanese company that offers licensed reproductions of chairs by a range of Danish modernist designers such as Ib Kofod-Larsen, Nanna Ditzel and others.
Kjær participated in the Barcelona World Exhibition in 1929 and held leadership roles in the Arts and Crafts Committee for Export and the Danish Arts and Crafts National Association. He also chaired the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild for a period during the 1950s. An example of one of Kjær’s armchairs is held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Jacob Kjær seating, side tables, coffee tables and more.
1940's Palle Suenson armchair, Danish designer
By Palle Suenson, Jacob Kjaer
Located in Sherborne, GB
This is an exquisite sculpted armchair in rosewood, designed by Danish modernist architect Palle Suenson for Jacob Kjaer, it dates from 1948. It was made in Denmark. The chair real...
Leather, Rosewood
Swedish Designer, Side Chairs, Pine, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine side chairs designed and produced in Sweden, 1940s. Seat height: 18”
Pine
$7,444
H 34.65 in W 25.99 in D 26.78 in
Rare Executive Desk Chair in Walnut, Brass and Leather, Palle Suenson, 1940s
By Palle Suenson, Jacob Kjaer
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Palle Suenson & Jacob Kjær - Scandinavian Modern A rare executive desk chair by Danish Modenist Architect Palle Suenson (1904-1987) and cabinetmaker Jacob Kjær (1896-1957) a special order for the...
Brass
Danish Designer, Side Chair, Wood, Fabric, Denmark, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and yellow fabric side chair or vanity table chair designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1940s. Fabric has heavy wear and tear, reupholstery recommended. Minor scrapes on woo...
Fabric, Wood
Finnish Designer, Side Chairs, Wood, Fabric, Finland, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood and red velvet side chairs designed and produced in Finland, c. 1940s. Vintage fabric in distressed condition Wear consistent with age and use Overall Dimensions (i...
Fabric, Wood
$2,637 / set
H 36.23 in W 22.84 in D 18.12 in
Pair of Armchairs in Dark Stained Pine and Seagrass Danish Cabinetmaker, 1940s
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Odense, DK
Charming pair of armchairs in dark stained pinewood with seats of woven seagrass. The chairs are made in Denmark in the 1930-40s and have never been refinished. The design is simplis...
Seagrass, Pine
$2,157 / set
H 33.47 in W 16.93 in D 19.69 in
Mid-Century Rare Pair 1950s "Farfalla" Designer Danish Bentwood Billund Chair
By Hans Olsen
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Rare pair 1950s " farfalla " designer Danish bentwood side chair are constructed using the traditional moulded plywood form technique. This pair side chair are constructed using a b...
Walnut
Danish Lounge Chair in Patinated Niger Leather, 1940s
Located in Lejre, DK
Danish side chair in patinated Niger leather and mahogany. Designed and made in Denmark, great original condition.
Leather, Mahogany
$19,600 / set
H 26.38 in W 25.4 in D 27.56 in
Pair of Brazilian Midcentury Modern Armchairs, Unknown Designer, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Hidden among Brazil's modern furniture heritage are pieces whose origins remain a mystery. These designs, beautifully crafted and steeped in the aesthetics of their time, are yet to ...
Hardwood
American Designer, Side Chairs, Wood, USA, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of stained wood side chairs designed and produced in the US, c. 1940s. 16” seat height
Wood
Armchair By Palle Suenson, In Mahogany And Niger Leather
By Palle Suenson, Jacob Kjaer 1
Located in Kastrup, DK
Armchair crafted from solid mahogany and upholstered in deep-buttoned Niger leather. The edges are accentuated with elegant brass nailheads — a refined decorative detail that undersc...
Brass
$568Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 21.75 in D 22.5 in
Jens Risom Style Mid-Century Modern Danish Armchair
By Jens Risom
Located in Medina, OH
Beautiful reupholstered "Jens Risom Style" mid-century modern Danish armchair. Reupholstered in an Ivory "Paris Plush" fabric by Greenhouse Fabrics with a Gimp Trim on the back of th...
Fabric, Wood
$2,757
H 16.93 in W 25.99 in D 25.99 in
Danish Large Stool Upholstered in 'Casentino' Woollen Fabric, Denmark 1940s
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Part of a living room set comprehensive of a two and three seater sofas, this beautiful, stylish and comfortable stool has been designed and manufactured in Denmark in the 1940s. I...
Fabric, Wood
Set of Six Teak Dining Chairs by Jacob Kjaer
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of six unique dining chair of smaller scale having a teak frame and curved seat and back both upholstered in leather.
Teak, Leather